Homeless man arrested for injuring two nurses
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Benjamin Franklin Cunningham, 36, was arrested yesterday after allegedly injuring two nurses at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, spitting at a third person, and damaging a security door.
At about noon on December 9, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to HCA Florida North Florida Hospital (6500 W. Newberry Road), where Cunningham reportedly became enraged while he was being released from a secure floor.
Cunningham allegedly kicked a door to the nursing station, causing over $1,000 in damage to the door and lock, and then began fighting with and trying to choke a nurse. The nurse fought Cunningham off but suffered injuries to his neck.
Another nurse and “numerous” other staff members ran to help, and Cunningham was taken to the ground and subdued, but the second nurse suffered an injured wrist.
After being handcuffed by the officer, Cunningham continued yelling and threatening staff, and at one point, he allegedly took a chewed-up plastic medical item from his mouth and threw it at a third victim.
Cunningham, who is described as homeless on the arrest report, has been charged with felony property damage and three counts of battery on medical personnel. He has six felony convictions (two violent) and 17 misdemeanor convictions (four violent); Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $200,000 and ordered a mental health evaluation.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
They should have just given him the needle and taken him down the hall.
Some people aren’t deserving of care, much less healthcare.
Thanks city commission! 😫
They should band homelessness ship them off to another country
What is the policy on providing services to the homeless? Like public health it is a societal responsibility. Maybe each County could be mandated to have some level of shelter and food assistance and mental health support.
DeSantis is crowing about Floridians First and his budgetary prowess. Spread the wealth so to speak. Soon for many seniors with only social security to rely on in their retirement will be in need of assistance.
Providing protection to nurses and other health care workers is a national problem. These essential workers are routinely attacked. And yet, Gainesville keeps inviting the sickest individuals from the streets and houses them at Grace with no supervision or care. You hear nothing from the CC or ACC about providing protection to our ER’s and other care facilities. If the CC and the ACC want the grants and other monies, they should actually care for the homeless. Or they should not accept the money and leave these sick people be. Our ER’s are not dumping grounds for the poor souls who have been lured here on the promise of support. Shame on the people who run our county and city. Pray for the health care workers who are charged with covering up our local government’s mistakes.
To answer your question, hospital emergency rooms (and ambulances) are required to perform EMERGENCY services to all. Beyond that, only the far left provides medical services to the ‘homeless’ and other jewels they attract with their ‘welcoming’ and sanctuary policies.
I’m thankful for nurses! They have to deal with so many difficult situations. Next time I have a bad day at work, I’ll try to remember those who have much more challenging issues to deal with!
Maybe they should send him to a vet next time, he sure acts like an animal.
We need a local occupational surtax on law firms here. A stiff tax.